REPORT:
What
a difference a year can make, one year ago tomorrow we had held our 25th
season anniversary invitation tournament and enjoyed tropical weather conditions
as we basked in an Indian summer. This afternoon as we headed for Kincardine
O'Neil to take on Torphins it had been raining for hours. The pitch was in doubt
but passed an inspection. As expected the underfoot conditions were treacherous
to say the least. We had a squad of 15 on hand with an unexpected omission in
the shape of Gary Longmuir. With Ewen Milne and Tony Morgan still missing it
meant a complete change to our regular midfield. Keith took up his usual wide
role alongside a central duo of Graham and N.Wood, M.Woods was on the left.
Andrews was in goal, Fulton, Shaw, Michie and N.Milne formed the back four. Up
front G.Woods partnered Merchant. Subs were Sim, Quirie, Murdoch and Marlow.
Halliburton started very well and straight away Keith caught the eye with some
neat football. His only problem was trying to stay upright! Halli were well on
top and despite the conditions were putting together some great moves. With
Longmuir absent M.Woods was handed the task of taking the throw ins however we
struggled to get anything off of the throw ins or the corner kicks, too often
the ball was being directed straight at a Torphins player. The home side went in
front in 25mins. well against the run of play when a corner kick was met
unchallenged to be powerfully headed home. We continued to push forward and
stayed on top but in 35 mins. Keith and N.Milne left a ball to one another and
Torphins grasped the chance to score a second. As half time approached Halli
pulled back a vital goal. A short free kick was rolled into the path of N.Wood
who blasted it home in off both posts! (H.T.2-1) If we could get the leveller
quickly it would put a whole new complexion on the match . Good plan,
unfortunately it was Torphins who scored early into the second period. Andrews
seemed to be caught out at his near post and could only punch the ball high into
the air, N.Milne and Michie were underneath it but faced an near impossible task
in trying to clear as they were both standing on our goal line facing the net.
In steamed an attacker and it was 3-1. Keith was now in a central midfield role
and was prompting the side with some teasing balls through. The problem we faced
was not to over hit these passes as the wind and slippery park took them too far
in front of our strikers. We got back into it in 65 when the ball found its way
to Wood in an unmarked position and the wee man slotted in his second. We now
felt that we could take something from this match and indeed we equalised in 75.
Mr. Goals G.Woods firing in a low drive to keep up his remarkable goal scoring
run. Torphins introduced a couple of subs and it was one of these players who
robbed us of any chance of a win when he rolled them back in front in 80mins.
Fulton was taken to the cleaners on the edge of the box and a shot in was
parried by Andrews. Our defence was static and in came the sub to win the match.
Sim was put on for Merchant and he made a good run up the right before sending
in a tempting ball for G.Woods who unfortunately was just inches away from
connecting to get us the draw which our performance this afternoon had deserved
(F.T.4-3). Some of our forward play this afternoon was excellent and given that
the pitch was under water in some parts the boys deserve credit for their
display. On a negative we surrendered four bad goals especially the first when
we were spectating. No poor performances this afternoon, but for the entire 90
mins. Keith was outstanding for us and picks up the topman accolade.